This is a series of articles about the stories behind fashion products and things that go on behind the scenes, delivering with a bit of a scathing perspective but with a love of products. Atsuo Watanabe, editor-in-chief of PRODISM magazine, Yukihisa Takei, editor-in-chief of HONEYEE.COM, and Takuya Raita, a stylist, choose a theme each time and talk about the products we have selected. We have picked out the latest items that caught our eyes from five different brands!
Edit&Text : Atsuo Watanabe（PRODISM）&Yukihisa Takei（HONEYEE.COM）
Styling : Takuya Raita
Photo : Kengo Shimizu
White Mountaineering × GRAMICCI
Wide shorts
“Sweat shorts but nice that it’s got a crotch gusset”（Takei）
Takuya Kurita (R): These are White Mountaineering x GRAMICCI sweat shorts.
Atsuo Watanabe (W): Wow, are these sweat shorts?
Takuya Raita (R): I thought these are quite unique for sweatshirts with all patterned and yet collaboration with GRAMICCI. There were also other patterns like fruit, but I chose these ones as they look easy for styling.
(W): Speaking of patterns, it's White Mountaineering, isn't it?
R: I heard Aizawa (Yosuke) san likes birds, so that's why the bird motif is used.
Yukihisa Takei (T): Does GRAMICCI make original sweat shorts by themselves?
R: I think there are depending on the season, but I don't think it's a genuine standard.
W: The sizing is big, like wide shorts.
T: I like the fact that they’re sweat shorts but with a crotch gusset design. They look easy to wear and seasonally it's almost time to wear them.
W: Will they be available soon?
R: It will be launched this month (April) in four different designs.
W: Let’s choose your favourite pattern then.
Originally developed for rock climbing, GRAMICCI shorts have now become a streetwear staple. The gusset crotch allows the legs to open 180°, and the webbing belt allows the waist to be adjusted with one hand. White Mountaineering collaborated with GRAMICCI for the second time following the previous season. Four original patterns are printed all over and the material is made of soft, sweatshirt-like cotton.
White Mountaineering × GRAMICCI
Wide shorts ¥28,600 (White Mountaineering)
TEL : 03-6416-5381
CDG × BE@RBRICK
T-shirts
“It's simple, but it's well designed as expected” (Raita)
R: These are a collaboration from CDG and BE@RBRICK, but figurine is not released this time, just these T-shirts.
T: Is this the first collaboration they’ve done?
R: It's the first time. It's going to be even more popular if they release BE@RBRICK figurines with these though.
T: Maybe, but I feel like this release implies that there will also be a BE@RBRICK figure, like a teaser.
W: Well, these would be a collection piece for BE@RBRICK collectors. Is the front of the T-shirts designed to be longer?
R: That's true when you look at it closely. It's simple, but it's well designed as expected.
T: It's CDG, so it's probably reasonably priced and seems to sell well.
W: So, these are not just simple T-shirts then. Is there any design on the back?
T: The back is simply plain. This kind of stuff is actually good for grown-ups to wear.
The first collaboration between COMME des GARÇONS CDG and BE@RBRICK. Available in a black and white body, with black and white cool print. No information on the release of BE@RBRICK yet announced, but perhaps a teaser for the future release?
CDG
Long-sleeved T-shirt (Black) ¥12,100, T-shirt (White) ¥9,900 (COMME des GARÇONS)
©️2022 MEDICOM TOY
TEL：03-3486-7611
WACKO MARIA
Basquiat shirt
“I think WACKO MARIA is the only brand that releases aloha shirts in the winter season and they sell out.” （WATANABE）
T: So now WACKO MARIA collaborates with Basquiat, they never run out of topics to talk about these days.
R: WACKO MARIA seems to be getting more and more energetic again these days.
T: One thing I thought recently thought they were good was the Bill Evans patterned aloha shirt that came out the other day. I was impressed that just by printing his portrait, they can make it look so cool. I’m not sure if I would wear it myself, but I thought it was a great way to make this unexpected combination look good.
R: WACKO MARIA has always made patterned open-collared shirts and has never wavered.
W: I think WACKO MARIA is the only brand that releases aloha shirts in the winter season and they sell out.
R: The videos posted on Instagram are also very funny. They seem to be popular overseas as well.
T: There are a lot of Basquiat collaborations out there, but it's great that when you combine the selected graphic with a Hawaiian shirt, they can still express the WACKO MARIA style.
R: I feel that they are at the pinnacle of Tokyo streetwear brands.
W: WACKO MARIA has cool crews too. The new generation creating a new WACKO MARIA brand image is also remarkable.
R: The staff themselves are boosting the brand, and they're also good at getting others involved.
W: I think I should get one of their aloha shirts soon.
Open-collared Hawaiian shirt, WACKO MARIA's signature item. Various collaborations have been carried on this iconic item in the past, it features the work of graffiti art legend Jean-Michel Basquiat this time.
WACKO MARIA
Basquiat shirt ¥38,500 (PARADISE TOKYO)
TEL : 03-5708-5277
© Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York.
Graphpaper
Garment dye poplin shirt
“It’s got an urban feel, fits well in with the Tokyo style when wearing it. It's a simple but good item.” (Raita)
R: This white shirt caught my eye the most among Graphpaper's many simple items.
T: Oh, I'm wearing the same light coat as this double-weave series today, it's really easy to wear. I actually completely forgot I did a personal order at the exhibition (laughs), but once I started wearing it, it was great and I've been wearing it for a long time now.
R: Graphpaper is something you would wear if you have one.
T: I know right? When I have it, I just end up wearing it.
W: It's a brand that represents the current Tokyo street scene. I heard they're selling really well at stores in the local area, too. It's simple, so you never get bored of it, but also the materials and silhouette have been incredibly well thought out.
R: It’s got an urban feel, so it fits well in with the Tokyo style when wearing it. It's a simple but good item.
W: It's hard to get a sense of the quality of the clothes from the product images, but the brand's charm can be seen through coordinating and wearing with other clothes.
T: This coat from the same series is one of the best things that I bought recently. I think I will wear it for a while.
R: This shirt is oversized, but the length is just right, so it's easy to coordinate with other pieces.
W: Minami (Takayuki) kun have reached the level of a maestro.
T: I think he has changed Tokyo’s fashion scene at least a little.
W: Graphpaper is now an established brand, and the attention to detail in materials and sewing is unbelievable. I've given him such high praise, so please buy me a drink next time (laughs).
Poplin shirt by Graphpaper, a Tokyo-based brand by Takayuki Minami. The front and back are made of broadcloth woven with a delicate yarn count, and the unique texture is created by the shrinkage by garment dyeing. The military-inspired details that contradict the delicate material are also attractive.
Graphpaper
Garment dye poplin shirt ¥39,600 (Graphpaper)
TEL : 03-6418-9402
is-ness
Balloon shirt
“Wear black and white all the time makes me sometimes want neon color T-shirts” (Takei)
R: It's a neon color T-shirt from is-ness.
T: I really like it as a product.
W: Yes, this is good.
R: You can tell is-ness is really good when you actually wear it. The silhouette of this balloon shirt is very modern, and the attached straps are something new to me.
T: This one is a large size, pretty big, isn’t it? I usually go for extra-large these days, but with this one, a medium would be good.
R: It’s more comfortable to wear a larger size in summer, though.
T: I sometimes buy neon color T-shirts as I feel like wearing them without any reason.
R: It's also a trend to add this kind of color to monotone outfits nowadays.
T: Maybe it's because I always wear black and white, so sometimes I want a drastic change in my mood.
W: I think I'll buy black.
T: By the way, is-ness is a brand that has been around for a long time, right?
R: The silhouette has remained the same since the beginning, so I think it’s not like the brand is conscious of the current trend.
W: These are reasonably priced so I'm sure they will sell well.
T: I like the fact that there's no logo on it.
Balloon T-shirt made with a heavyweight cotton jersey by is-ness. Big silhouette, with a spindle on the hem allowing the silhouette to adjust. Also, available in basic colors alongside the neon ones introduced this time.
is-ness
Balloon shirt ¥13,200 (alpha PR)
TEL : 03-5413-3546
(From left to right) Atsuo Watanabe, Editor-in-Chief of PRODISM, Takuya Raita, Stylist, Yukihisa Takei, HONEYEE.COM)
Atsuo Watanabe / Editor-in-Chief, PRODISM
Born in 1973. After working as an editor for Asayan and Huge, he became a freelance editor and launched the product-focused magazine PRODISM in 2013, where he continues to work as the editor in chief. He is well versed in men's fashion, sneakers, and streetwear, and has a unique aesthetic.
Takuya Raita / Stylist
Born in 1986. Having assisted for Hiroyuki Kai, he became independent in 2012. While working mainly for men's fashion magazines, he is also known for his product styling that sensitively incorporates trends. Currently looking for an assistant.
Yukihisa Takei / HONEYEE.COM
Born in 1972. After working as an editor of the magazine EYESCREAM, he became the editor-in-chief of HONEYEE.COM, but resigned after one year. After working as a freelance editor and creative director for various brand websites and media launches, he returned to his post as editor-in-chief of HONEYEE.COM in the fall of 2021.